Salary Comparison

Network Engineer Salary:
Chicago, IL vs Houston, TX

Side-by-side gross salary, after-tax take-home pay, and purchasing power comparison. Updated June 2026.

Chicago, IL
$122,206
/ year
+16%
difference
Houston, TX
$105,114
/ year
Bottom line: Houston offers better purchasing power despite Chicago paying more gross. How is this calculated? →
Metric
Chicago
Houston
Median Gross Salary
Annual, before tax
$122,206✓ higher
$105,114
Entry Level
0–2 years experience
$79,030✓ higher
$67,977
Senior Level
8+ years experience
$188,970✓ higher
$162,540
Est. Take-Home Pay
After income tax + FICA
$84,471✓ higher
$74,156
Purchasing Power
Equivalent in median-CoL city
$106,266
$107,259✓ higher
Cost of Living Index
Relative to US median (1.00)
1.15×
0.98×✓ lower
Percentile 10 (Low)
Bottom 10% of earners
$79,030✓ higher
$67,977
Percentile 90 (High)
Top 10% of earners
$188,970✓ higher
$162,540

What if you move from Chicago to Houston?

Gross salary change
$17,092
16% decrease
Take-home change
$10,315
per year after tax
Purchasing power change
+$993
equivalent real income

Take-home pay is estimated using 2024 US federal tax brackets (single filer) + 7.65% FICA, or a blended international effective rate. Purchasing power converts gross salary to an equivalent in a US median cost-of-living city (index 1.00×). Full methodology →

Salary Range Comparison

Chicago, IL$122,206
P10: $79,030Median: $122,206P90: $188,970
Houston, TX$105,114
P10: $67,977Median: $105,114P90: $162,540

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Frequently Asked Questions

▶Does a Network Engineer earn more in Chicago or Houston?

The median Network Engineer salary in Chicago, IL is $122,206/yr compared to $105,114/yr in Houston, TX. Chicago pays 16% more in gross terms.

▶Is a Network Engineer salary worth more in Chicago or Houston after cost of living?

After adjusting for local cost of living, your Chicago salary has the purchasing power of $106,266/yr in a median-cost city, vs $107,259/yr for Houston. Houston offers stronger real purchasing power.

▶What is the take-home pay for a Network Engineer in Chicago vs Houston?

After estimated taxes, a Network Engineer in Chicago, IL takes home approximately $84,471/yr, vs $74,156/yr in Houston, TX. These are estimates based on standard federal tax rates and do not account for state/local taxes or deductions.